Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibers from Cassava Pulp

摘要

In this study, cassava pulp (CP) was used to prepare cellulose nanofibers. CP was treated with sodium hydroxide and then bleached by sodium chlorite solution in acetate buffer solution. Finally, acid hydrolysis treatment was conducted by using two different acid type (H2SO4 and HCl). The morphological structure of the ensuing fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM images showed diameter and length of cellulose nanofibers obtained from sulphuric acid treatment in the range of 8-15 nm and 200-800 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed the progressive removal of non-cellulosic constituents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed an increase in crystallinity of the nanofibers after successive treatments. The thermal properties of cassava pulp and cellulose nanofibers were also investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Cellulose nanofibers showed higher thermal stability than cassava pulp.